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Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Flynn, KE; Reese, JB; Jeffery, DD; Abernethy, AP; Lin, L; Shelby, RA; Porter, LS; Dombeck, CB; Weinfurt, KP
Published in: Psychooncology
June 2012

OBJECTIVE: We studied patients' experiences with oncology providers regarding communication about sexual issues during and after treatment for cancer. METHODS: During development of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS(®)) Sexual Function measure, we collected focus group and survey data on communication with oncology professionals about sexual problems. We conducted 16 focus groups with patients and survivors (n = 109) and analyzed the discussions for major themes, including experiences discussing sex during oncology visits. During testing of the PROMIS Sexual Function measure, we assessed experiences discussing sexual problems with oncology professionals (n = 819) and measured bivariate associations between asking for information from clinicians and sexual function and satisfaction with sex life. RESULTS: Most patients and survivors (74%) thought that discussions with oncology professionals about sexual problems were important, but whether they had ever received information about sexual function from a provider varied by cancer type (23% lung, 29% breast, 39% colorectal, and 79% prostate). Those who had asked an oncology professional about sexual problems had significantly greater interest in sexual activity as well as more sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual problems are a widespread concern among patients and survivors, but there is much variation in experiences of communication about sexual issues, and many patients do not receive the information they need from their oncology providers. There are large differences in sexual function between patients who do and do not ask providers about sexual problems. Sexual health has yet to be fully integrated into oncology care, even for cancers involving sex organs.

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Published In

Psychooncology

DOI

EISSN

1099-1611

Publication Date

June 2012

Volume

21

Issue

6

Start / End Page

594 / 601

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Survivors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological
  • Quality of Life
  • Qualitative Research
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • North Carolina
  • Neoplasms
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Flynn, K. E., Reese, J. B., Jeffery, D. D., Abernethy, A. P., Lin, L., Shelby, R. A., … Weinfurt, K. P. (2012). Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer. Psychooncology, 21(6), 594–601. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1947
Flynn, Kathryn E., Jennifer Barsky Reese, Diana D. Jeffery, Amy P. Abernethy, Li Lin, Rebecca A. Shelby, Laura S. Porter, Carrie B. Dombeck, and Kevin P. Weinfurt. “Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer.Psychooncology 21, no. 6 (June 2012): 594–601. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1947.
Flynn KE, Reese JB, Jeffery DD, Abernethy AP, Lin L, Shelby RA, et al. Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer. Psychooncology. 2012 Jun;21(6):594–601.
Flynn, Kathryn E., et al. “Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer.Psychooncology, vol. 21, no. 6, June 2012, pp. 594–601. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/pon.1947.
Flynn KE, Reese JB, Jeffery DD, Abernethy AP, Lin L, Shelby RA, Porter LS, Dombeck CB, Weinfurt KP. Patient experiences with communication about sex during and after treatment for cancer. Psychooncology. 2012 Jun;21(6):594–601.
Journal cover image

Published In

Psychooncology

DOI

EISSN

1099-1611

Publication Date

June 2012

Volume

21

Issue

6

Start / End Page

594 / 601

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Survivors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological
  • Quality of Life
  • Qualitative Research
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • North Carolina
  • Neoplasms